Welcome to William Fields JR. Website!
Hi there! Thank you for stopping by.
I’m William Fields Jr., and this website is dedicated to my book, Vietnam 1968: Through My Eyes A Pictorial Journey. It’s a personal collection of stories and photos from my time as a young soldier in the Vietnam War, drafted right out of high school and sent halfway around the world to serve in an unpopular war.
This isn’t a graphic depiction of the war. It’s a journey—a true, honest look back at 1968 Vietnam through my eyes. As a young boy thrown into a conflict far from home, trained to follow orders and simply survive, I lived through the Tet Offensive.
What followed was a transformation from that boy into a man—only to return home to a world that wasn’t ready to welcome me back.
I want you to understand what Vietnam was really like, not based on myths or misconceptions, but through the truth of my experiences
and the photos I’ve shared. These images will give you a window into the reality of those times.
I hope that as you read through my story, you’ll not only learn about the war but also about what it was like for those of us who lived it.
It’s my way of sharing a part of history that’s often misunderstood or overlooked.
Thanks again for visiting. Feel free to look around, learn more about my journey, and if you feel moved by what you see, I’d be honored if
you grabbed a copy of the book.
Take care, and welcome to my world.
William Fields Jr.
About the Book
VIETNAM 1968: Through My Eyes - A Pictorial Journey by William FIelds Jr.
Vietnam 1968 Through My Eyes: A Pictorial Journey is a powerful, non-graphic memoir that transports readers to one of the most turbulent years of the Vietnam War.
Through the lens of a young man-fresh out of high school, drafted, and sent into the heart of the Tet Offensive-William Fields, Jr. captures the transformation from innocent boy to battle-hardened soldier.
“You never know what events may unfold that will ultimately bring you home, and I truly believe that without my faith, I may not have survived Vietnam.”With over 600 striking photographs, Fields offers rare glimpses into daily military life, moments of human connection amidst chaos, and the emotional toll of returning to an unwelcoming America. As reviewer Barbara Bamberger Scott notes, this “vibrantly illustrated chronicle” preserves the memories of those who served and challenges future generations to reflect on the complex history and higher purpose of the war.
Vietnam 1968 Through My Eyes: A Pictorial Journey
by William Fields, Jr.
Gotham Books
book review by Barbara Bamberger Scott
“You never know what events may unfold that will ultimately bring you home, and I truly believe that without my faith, I may not have survived Vietnam.”
Author Fields notably arrays frank recollections and poignant photos exploring US military service during the Vietnam conflict. In 1966, after high school graduation, he was drafted and quickly transported to Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He soon absorbed military disciplines: hand-to-hand combat practice, constant inspections of meager possessions, and even a trip to a gas chamber. The son of a WWII veteran, Fields enlisted for further training at signal school. In Vietnam, he was a radio relay carrier, sustaining communication between the “grunts” (foot soldiers) and their support teams.
The author’s pictorial offerings include the construction of the massive Dong Tam base, necessitating the transference of major water sources, and the introduction of small, much-utilized swift boats whose crews endured constant peril. Emotive scenes depict an orphanage where the author spent time playing with children and assisting the nuns, allowing him to “get away from the war, even for a day.” Photos of soldiers on base and in action are frequent. Consumed with a combination of dread, vigilance, and undeniable grit, Fields also experienced guilt as comrades were wounded or killed while he remained unharmed. He and his cohort were understandably gripped by bitterness when, returning home, they were insulted and rejected by many Americans. Nonetheless, Fields is a proud veteran offering well-deserved acclaim to fellow citizens who endured heinous struggles.
Accompanying Fields’ vivid memoir are about 600 photos showing the rigors of warfare and the people who shared its life-threatening toils. Over the ensuing years, Fields has contributed time to supporting veterans groups such as the Vietnam War Foundation, dedicated to educating later generations regarding the higher purpose of that complex conflict. This vibrantly illustrated chronicle will doubtless satisfy Fields’ intention: to share and stimulate the memories of those who served, and prompt current students to ponder in greater depth the happenings and heroes lauded here.
